Jo Passed shares “Dizzy Izzy,” the final pre-release of his LP Away due out January 23rd via Youth Riot Records. Jo Passed is the project of of Toronto-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Jo Hirabayashi. Jo Passed is set to begin a headlining album release tour in Vancouver later this month, including shows at LA’s Permanent Records, Des Moines’ Treefort Festival, and more.

“During the writing of Away, “Dizzy Izzy” was part of the latter’s songs in the process,” explains Hirabayashi of the song. “During the time I did sporadic shows around Vancouver mostly in a trio format with Mac Lawrie on drums and Téa Mei on bass. I started writing songs more thinking that I might work to pursue that format further for future live Jo Passed sets. The song ended up being a processing song about losing a fourth member from the past lineup and coming to terms with going in a new direction. Eventually, though, I ended up adding more guitars and keys that now require a fourth member.”

Of the live video, Hirabayashi says: “These live videos were shot at KW Studios in Vancouver with Jessica Han (camera operation, lighting and camera direction), Aya Garcia (camera operation), Trent Freeman (camera operation), Nick Short (audio engineering and camera operation). I edited and mixed the audio. The band for these sessions features Justin Devries (Loving) on drums, who recorded half the record, Eren Burton on guitar, who is part of my live band, and Téa Mei, who sang vocals on the record.”

Centered around Hirabayashi’s mental health journey and recovery in between releases, the songs of Away range from existential to deeply personal. Though the album heavily plays on themes of ego death, death itself, and general loss, it’s all done with a lighthearted touch and explored via a knotty, dynamic sound that might’ve occurred if Elliott Smith had jammed with Brian Eno in the ‘70s.

“One of the biggest factors was taking space to actually find myself creatively,” says Hirabayashi. “I turned a tough time into creativity and found my way back to myself. Two years later, I’ve got an album I love. Taking that time was worth it, and I hope this record inspires others to be kind to themselves and patient with their own pace.”

Jo Passed 2026 Tour Dates:

01/22/26 – Vancouver, BC – The Pearl
01/23/26 – Seattle, WA – Baga Yaga
01/24/26 – Olympia, WA – The Moon Room
01/25/26 – Portland, OR – Swan Dive
01/27/26 – Oakland, CA – Stork Club
01/29/26 – Los Angeles CA – Permanent Records
01/30/26 – Ventura, CA – Vaquero y Mar
02/02/26 – Victoria, BC – Lucky Bar
02/07/26 – Toronto ON – The Dance Cave
03/25-29/26 – Treefort Festival

Pre-order Away by Jo Passed HERE